Sustainable Forest Management Plan

Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) is defined as: “Management that maintains and enhances the long-term health of forest ecosystems for the benefit of all living things, while providing environmental, economic, social and cultural opportunities for present and future generations.” ² The purpose of The Teal Jones Group Sustainable Forest Management Plan is to outline:

• Teal-Jones’ approach to achieve sustainable forest management;
• The current state of the Defined Forest Area; as well as,
• The local values, objectives, indicators, and targets of Sustainable Forest Management developed through the public participation process.

The Teal Jones Group (Teal-Jones) has developed a Sustainable Forest Management Plan reflecting the company’s commitment to the responsible management of resources under its stewardship. This Plan was developed with input from local communities, stakeholders and First Nations through Teal-Jones Public Advisory Groups. Every year Teal-Jones updates its Sustainable Forest Management Plan and creates an Annual Report (found in Appendix 1). The following is a summary of some of the highlights of the current 2019 Annual Report:

• Teal-Jones’ team of Qualified Professionals planned operations consistent with approved Forest Stewardship Plans. These plans reflect the most current, science-based research for planning and procedures to meet Government Objectives for resource values. Development of the Forest Stewardship Plans included extensive review and consultation with local First Nations, Qualified Professionals, communities, stakeholders, other tenure holders, and the public. Ongoing information sharing and field assessments of local areas with local First Nations, communities and special interest groups is a cornerstone of the ongoing planning process.
• To ensure safe and healthy work places, Teal-Jones operations continue to be SAFE certified by the BC Forestry Safety Council. Prime Contractors are also SAFE certified and Teal-Jones conducts rigorous, ongoing reviews of their Safety Management Systems.
• In recognition of important resource values such as biodiversity, wildlife and water quality, an average of 11.1% of the area harvested was retained for each cutblock. Additionally, 22 sites of special significance were retained, including Culturally Modified Trees, mountain beaver dens and karst sites.
• Teal-Jones does not export logs and continues to provide jobs through harvested volume consistent with the annual allowable cut.
• Local forest values were maintained through ongoing communications with communities, forest dependent business and recreation groups. For example, Teal-Jones assisted 2 beekeepers, several registered trapline holders, guide outfitters and recreation groups with continued access.
• A total of 1.07 million trees were planted in 2019 across the Defined Forest Area, over a third were western red cedar or cypress.
• Educational outreach, community meetings, and public consultation and participation opportunities are integral to the sustainable management of forests for local communities. Teal-Jones’ Professional Foresters met with local committees, colleges and communities to increase knowledge and education in Sustainable Forest Management. Contributions to community groups (financial and in kind) exceeded $6,000.
• Ongoing, open and respectful communications with Aboriginal Communities to foster meaningful engagement continues to be a top priority. Teal-Jones participates in existing protocol agreements and works with First Nations to develop new ones upon request. Information sharing continues to improve as relationships with local First Nations evolve.
• Teal-Jones continues to expand on employment opportunities for Aboriginal people and contractors. In 2019, several Aboriginal employment contracts were awarded, including positions at the Teal-Jones saw log mill in Surrey, British Columbia.

Please contact Teal for further information.

² Source: Canadian Standards Association Sustainable Forest Management Z809-16 Standard.